Recently, I started re-reading The Radiance Of Being by Allan Combs. In the foreword Herbert Guenther points out the dangers of model building and story telling. We tend to forget that the model or story is a human invention, the model or story then becomes a narcissistic trap and holds us captive. We believe that the story IS the reality. Guenther quotes Erich Jantsch:
"So desperate is our dependence on viable models and myths that we subconsciously try to elevate them from the muddy world of human emotions and interests to the crisp, clear heights of absolute truth. Physical models are set absolute and the myth of science is created. Social models are set absolute and their corresponding myths, or ideologies, subsequently imposed by social habits and taboos, or also by intimidation and force. Spiritual or cultural models are set absolute and their imperialism is defended on the grounds of belief in the form of religion or other evolutionary or pseudoevolutionary myths."
Nevertheless, Combs endeavors to find a thread of truth about what is real and follow it. He states that this book presents a radically revised understanding of what it is to be human.
The book is in three parts: The first is a discussion of the nature of consciousness and the mind. The second reviews the theories of the evolution of consciousness. The third presents an integral vision of consciousness and what it means to live a truly integral life.
The first section is entitled Complexity. The first chapter is entitled Minding Consciousness.
That section is for next time.
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